Children&#39;s sandbox



Jan. 21, 1958 Filed Jan. 25, 1955 S. A. HERMAN 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FE; 6: 20 J5 i 3 45 2 b i/ I HIM I HII I 7{ WW 36' 572 2 Wm rB zr e g/ erman @wy @mmd?mm CHILDRENS SANDBOX Shirley A. Herman, Flossmoor, iii.

Application January 25, 1955, Serial No. 483,956

8 Claims. (Cl. 272-1) This invention relates to improvements in a sandbox for childrens use and refers particularly to a sandbox which carries a sunshade which may be conveniently disposed over the sandbox in close proximity thereto and as a cover therefor when not in use as a sunshade, and is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 476,208, filed December 20, 1954, now abandoned.

Childrens sandboxes have heretofore been proposed which carry adjustable sunshades but said devices are difiicult to adjust and when in operative position are extremely unstable.

The present invention contemplates a childrens sandbox having a combination sunshade and cover, the device being characterized in that the combination sunshade and cover may be adjusted to position as a sunshade or as a cover for the sandbox in a most convenient and easy manner and when in either position the device is stable and relatively rigid.

In one form of the present invention the combination sunshade and cover may also be conviently adjusted to a third position whereby the sunshade-cover elements are positioned in a substantially vertical non-overhanging position relative to the sandbox.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and following detailed description.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the sandbox embodying the present invention with the sunshade in position as a sunshade or awning.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the sunshade elements, in full lines, in box-cover position, and dotted lines, in a third position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed elevational view showing the relationship of the upper portions of the sunshade elements in sunshade position.

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of one of the retaining pins carried by a sunshade element.

Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective view of one of the hinge lugs employed.

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a detailed view of a modified form of retaining pin engagement means.

Fig. 8 is a view taken at right-angles to that shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a modification of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detailed elevational view showing the relationship of the upper portion of the sunshade element in sunshade position.

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of of another modification of the invention.

Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 12.

States atent ice Referring in detail to the drawings, 1 indicates generally a sandbox for carrying a body of sand for childrens play. The sandbox 1 comprises essentially a rectangular container having side walls 2, 2 and front and rear walls 3, only one of which is shown, and a bottom. The container, thus formed, is supported upon legs 4 which extend to the upper edges of the container walls at the corners thereof and function to reinforce the container as well as furnish legs therefor. Horizontal beams 5 extend laterally outwardly from the front and rear of the container and at their outer ends are supported 'by legs 6. Seats 7 may be carried upon the beam 5 whereby children, playing in the sand carried by the container, may be seated. Each of the walls 2 may carry a triangular upper panel 8, which, if desired, may be formed integral with each wall, the function of which will be hereinafter more fully described.

An upright beam or standard may be carried at each side of the container at the central portion thereof, said standards being adapted to support a movable sunshade or canopy, as will be described in detail hereinafter.

Intermediate the length of each standard 9 a pair of fulcrum lugs 10 are mounted on opposite sides of the standard. The fulcrum lugs 10 may take the form of a pair of spaced plates 11 connected by a web 12, as shown in detail in Fig. 5. The plates 11 of each lug 10 are provided with aligned apertures which are adapted to provide a relatively wide bearing support for the bent ends 13 of struts 14. Each strut 14 on each side of the container has its opposite bent end similarly journaled in pivot lugs 15 which are identical in construction to the fulcrum lugs 10. The lugs 15 are mounted upon canopy members or sunshade elements which function, as will be hereinafter more fully described, in the dual capacity of protective sunshades for those playing at the sandbox and as cover or closure members for the box when the same is not in use.

The canopy or sunshade elements 16 may be constructed of plywood, plastic, relatively light gauge sheet metal, such as aluminum or any other material which may be opaque or may temper the suns rays, if translucent. The lugs 15 are mounted upon the edges of the elements 16 and said elements are of such width that they can swing between the inner surfaces of the standards 9, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

Adjacent the upper end portion of each standard 9 a pin-retaining bracket 17 is secured to each opposite side of each of the standards by means of bolts 18 or the like. A pair of lugs 19 are secured to each element 16 adjacent an upper edge thereof, said lugs terminating in anchor pins 20 which extend laterally outwardly from the body of the lugs and outwardly from the edges of the sunshade elements. In operative sunshade position the pins 20 are engaged in the pin-retaining brackets 17, being confined between the brackets and the sides of the standards.

The struts 14 are of such length, correlated to the distance of the fulcrum lugs 10 from the brackets 17, and the distance of the pivot lugs from the pins 20, that when the pins 20 are engaged in the brackets 17 the ele ments 16 will overhang the sandbox in dihedral fashion, thus forming a protective canopy for those playing at the box. This is the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1 and in this position the structure comprising the struts 14 and sunshade elements 16 is extremely stable, the stability being augmented by the fact that the upper edges of the elements 16 abut, as indicated at 21 in Fig. 3.

To prevent inadvertent dislodgment of the pins 20 from the brackets 17, latch bolts 22 may be carried by each pair of brackets 17, the latch bolts overhanging the pins 20 carried in the brackets; In this fashion, after'the device has been assembled, preferably by an adult, no danger of the sunshade elements falling upon the children playing at the. box exists. 7 v

In order to maintain the sand carried by' the'box in a comparatively sanitary condition and prevent the sandbox from being used. as a bed or lavatory for stray animals or a depository for refuse, and also to prevent the sand from being wetted by rain, it is desirable that the top of the box be COVCI'6d1Wh6I1 not in use by the children. In the present construction this can be conveniently done as' will be hereinafter'more fully described- As has been hereinbefore described, when the relatively flat elements 16 are disposed'in' sunshade position, asillustrated in Fig. 1, the pins 20carried by the elements '16 will be engaged in the brackets 17 and the bolts 22 will be operatively positioned,as shown in Fig; 3, to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the'pins 20' from the brackets. Todispose the elements 16 in closure position, as illustrated in Fig. 2 in full lines, it is merely necessary to remove the bolts 22 from the brackets 17.. The upper end portions of the elements 16 may then be moved up-' wardly either together or separately wherein-the struts 14 on opposite sides of the standards 9 will pivot in opposite angular directions about the fulcrum lugs-1t that is, the strut 14 on the left-hand side standard 9, as viewed in Fig. 1, will swing in a clockwise direction and the strut 14 on the opposite side of the standard willswing in a counterclockwise direction. In this fashion pins 20 will move upwardly and will thus disengage themselves from the brackets 17. I

I Thereafter, the elements'16 may be moved downwardly, either separately or together, the struts 14' pivoting in opposite angular directions about the fulcrum lugs 10, that is, as viewed in Fig. 2, the strut 14 on the left side of the standard 9 will swing in a counterclockwisev direction and. the strut 14 on the opposite side of the standard" will swing in a clockwise direction. When the struts 14 are thus pivoted about the fulcrum lugs the elements 16 will move downwardly and will occupy a limiting position 'as shown in Fig. 2 wherein the elements ldwill'form a closure for the sandbox to protect the sand carried therein and the outer end portions of the elements willprovide a cover for the seats 7. i

V The primary feature of the present invention resides in the ease with which the elements may be positioned in either the sunshade position or in the closure position and in either position, particularly in the sunshade position, said elements will be stable and will not tend to sway or vibrate excessively.

To move the elements from the closure position illustrated in Fig. 2 to the sunshade position illustrated in Fig. 1, it is merely necessaryto. reverse the procedure hereinbefore described.

To add to the flexibility of the device, pin retaining brackets 23 may be positioned upon opposite sides of the standard 9 intermediate brackets 17 and fulcrum lugs 19.

The brackets 23 are also adapted for the reception of the pins 28 whereby the elements 16 will be positioned in a substantially vertical position as illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 2. To position the sunshade elements 16 as illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 2 each of the elements is swung angularly in opposite directions about the respective pivot lugs 15. For instance, as viewed in Fig. 2, the element 16 on the left-hand side of the standard 9 is rotated in a clockwise direction and the opposite element 16 is rotated. in a counterclockwise direction. The struts 14 are brought to a position substantially parallel to the standard 9 and when the parts are in this position the pins 2-1} may be engaged in the brackets 23. To hold the sunshade elements in the upraised position referred to, bolts may be positioned through the brackets 23 1 and be disposed in overhanging relationship with respect 'tofthe pins positioned in said brackets. By this ar- Thus, the sunshade elements can be conveniently dis- I posed in three separate positions, that is, in the sunshade.

position illustrated in Fig. l, in the cover or closure position shown in full lines in Fig. 2 and in the upraised position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. By virtue of the construction and associationof parts contemplated in the present invention, the elements 16 may be moved most conveniently to the various positions heretofore described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 7 and 8, the reference numeral 25 indicates the upper end portion of one of the standards which may be employed with the sandbox. Sunshade or canopy elements 16 identical with the elements 16 heretofore described, may be associated with the upright member 25. In this form of the invention, however, a pair of planar plates 26 may be secured by bolts 27 or the like to opposite faces of the standard. 25, the plates 26 extending, above the upper end, of the standard.

In'utilizing this form of the invention pins 20' identical with the pins 20, hereinbefore described, may be disposed between. the plates 26' at the upper endof the standard 25. When the sunshade elements 16 are dis posed, as'illustrated in Fig. 7, the ends of said elements are brought into abutting relationship, as indicated; at 28 inFig. 7 and with the pins 20 positioned, as illustrated, a bolt 22', identical with bolt 22 hereinbefore described, may be positioned through the protruding end portions of the plates 26 in overhanging relationship with respect to the pins 20'. In this fashion the elements 16 may be latched in sunshade position.

Although specific types of fulcrum lugs. 10 and pivot lugs 15 are illustrated, it is to be understood that any suitable type of pivotal arrangement may be employed in conjunction with the struts 14. In addition, the brackets 17 and plates 26 may be of different. conformations and perform the function hereinbefore described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 9., 10 and 11, 28 indicatesgenerally a modified form of sandbox for carrying a body of sand for childrens play. The sandbox 28 comprises essentially a rectangular container having side walls 29, 29 and front and rear walls 30 and 31, respectively. The container thus formed is supported upon pairs of legs 32 and 33 comprising the front pairof legs and the. rear pair of legs, respectively. The upper portions of the legs extend upwardly at the corners of. the

box and serve as a reinforcement for the said box. Horizontal beams 34 extend outwardly from the front and rear of the container and at their outer ends are supported by legs 35. Seats 36 may be carried upon the beams 34 whereby children, playing in the sand carried by the container, may be seated.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 9, l0 and 11 the rear Wall 31 is shown as being of a greater height than the front wall 36. It is to be understood that each of these walls may be of the same height or, if.

desired, the front wall 30 may be higher than the rear wall 31.

An upright beam or standard 37 may be carried at each side of the container and may comprise anextension of each of the rear legs 33, said standards being adapted to support a movable sunshade or canopy as will be described in detail hereinafter.

Intermediate the length of each standard 37 a fulcrum lug 38, similar to the fulcrum lug-s10 hereinbefore described, is mounted upon the standard. Each of the lugs 38 is adapted to function as a bearing or journal for the bent end 39 of a stint 40. The opposite 'end por- 38. As will be hereinafter more fully described, the sunshade or canopy member 43 may be disposed as a cover for the sandbox, as illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 9, or may function as a sunshade or canopy for the sand box as illustrated in full lines in Fig. 9.

The canopy or sunshade element 43 may be constructed of plywood, plastic, relatively light gauge sheet metal, such as aluminum, or any other material which may be opaque or may temper the suns rays if translucent.

Adjacent the upper end portion of each standard 36, a pin-retaining bracket 44 is secured to one side of each standard by means of bolts 45 or the like. A pair of lugs are secured to the lower face of the sunshade element 43 adjacent an end portion thereof, each of the lugs 46 carrying an oppositely extending pin 47, said pins extending laterally outwardly from the body of the lugs and outwardly from the edges of the sunshade element 43. When the sunshade element 43 is in sunshade position, that is, when it is spaced above the top of the sandbox proper, the pins 47 are engaged in the pin-retaining brackets 44, being confined between the brackets and the sides of the standards 37.

The struts 40 are of such length, correlated with the distance of the fulcrum lugs 38 from the brackets 44, and also correlated with the distance of the pivot lugs 42 with respect to the pins 47, that when the pins 47 are engaged in the brackets 44 the element 16 will overhang the sandbox in the manner illustrated in full lines in Fig. 9. I

To prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the pins 47 from the brackets 44, latch bolts 48 may be carried by each of the brackets 44, the latch bolts overhanging the pins 47 in the brackets. In this fashion, after the device has been assembled, preferably by an adult, no danger of the sunshade element 43 falling upon the children playing at the box exists.

In the fashion hereinbefore described, with respect to the sunshade elements 16, the canopy or sunshade element 43 may be disposed upon the top edge portion of the container proper. To so dispose the sunshade element 43, the bolts 48 are removed and the pins 47 are disengaged from the brackets 44, such disengagement being accomplished by rocking the sunshade element 43 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, about the pivot lugs 42. When the pins 47 have thus been disengaged from the brackets 44, the sunshade element 43 may be swung downwardly, the struts 40 swinging in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, about the fulcrum lugs 38. The swinging operation is continued until the sunshade element 43 occupies the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 9.

Referring in detail to Figs. 12 and 13, another modification of the invention is illustrated. In Figs. 12 and 13, 49 indicates generally the modified sandbox construction, the device comprising essentially a rectangular container having opposite side walls 50, 50, a front wall 51, rear wall 52 and a bottom. The container thus formed is supported by legs 53 and 54, the two legs 53 being the front legs and the two legs 54 being the rear legs. Beams 55 extend outwardly from the container and the outer ends thereof are supported by legs 56, said beams and the legs 56 being adapted to support seats 57 at the front and the rear of the box.

A pair of uprights or standards 58 are secured to the container at their lower end portions and extend upwardly from the central portion of the container at each side thereof. A pair of struts 59 are pivotally mounted upon the standards 58, the end portions 60 of said struts being pivotally journaled in apertures 61 provided in said standards, the struts 59 lying outwardly relative to the standards.

A canopy or sunshade element 62, constructed of the same material comprising sunshade elements 43 and 16, hereinbefore described, is provided with opposite apertures at its edges in which the opposite end portions of the struts are pivotally positioned, said opposite end portions of the struts also being bent.

The width of the canopy or sunshade element 62 is less than the distance between the opposed surfaces of the standards 58 whereby the sunshade element 62 may swing between the standards, in a fashion to be hereinafter more fully described.

The canopy or sunshade element 62 may be positioned in sunshade position, as shown best in full lines in Fig. 12, or said sunshade element may be disposed in closure position with respect to the sand container, as shown best in broken lines in Fig. 12.

To hold the canopy in sunshade position, a pair of latch links 63 are pivotally secured to opposite edges of the canopy adjacent one end portion of said canopy, as shown best at 64 in Fig. 12. The links are of relatively fiat strap stock and each link, at its free end is provided with an open slot 65, each slot being inclined angularly in a direction away from the'respective pivotal connections 64. A pin 66 is carried upon each standard 58 adjacent its upper end, said pins extending outwardly from the outer sides of the respective standards. To hold the canopy 62 in sunshade position links 63 are so manipulated as to engage the respective pins 66 in the slots 65.

It can be seen that when the pins 66 are in engagement in slots 65, the canopy is held in a relatively fiat position spaced from the top of the sand container. In view of the fact that the end portion of the canopy which is pivoted to links 63 is heavier than the opposite end portion of the canopy, there is a tendency for the canopy to swing in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 12, about the pivotal connection of the struts S9 with the canopy. However, this tendency is arrested by contact of the struts with the respective standards and, hence, the canopy disposes itself in a stabilized position above the sand container.

To move the canopy 62 to closure position as illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 12, the free end of the canopy 62 is moved downwardly. This movement tends to cause the canopy to swing in a counterclockwise direction about its pivotal connections to the struts 59. Such movement also causes the struts 59 to move in a clockwise direction and the links 63 to move in a counterclockwise direction about the pins 66. in this fashion sufficient play is established in the assembly to permit disengagement of the pins 66 from the slots 65.

The slotted end portions of the links 63 may then be moved into substantially plane-parallel relationship to the opposite edges of the canopy, the slots 65 engaging with the end portions of the struts 59 where they connect with the canopy 62. The struts 59 may then be swung in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 12, whereby the canopy will dispose itself in closure position with respect to the upper edges of the container, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 12.

It is to be recognized that other modifications of the present invention may suggest themselves to any one skilled in the art and hence it is not intended that the present invention be limited except as necessitated by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A sandbox for childrens use which comprises, a container for sand having an open top, an upright member positioned on each side of said container and extending above said container, a canopy, struts pivotally connected to an intermediate edge portion of opposite edges of said canopy, means carried by an intermediate portion of each upright member on each side of said container pivotally connected to opposite ends of said struts whereby said canopy may be swung about said last-mentioned means to closure position with respect to said box, engagement means carried at the upper end portion of each upright member, companion engagement means carried by said canopy for removable engagement with the engagement means upon the upright members whereby said canopy 7 may be held in overhan-ging spaced relationship to the open top of said container.

2. A sandbox for childrens use which comprises, a container for sand having an open top, an upright member positioned on each side of said container and extending above said container, a canopy, struts pivotally connected to opposite edge portions of said canopy intermediate its length, means carried by each upright member on each side of said container pivotally connecting the opposite end of said struts to said respective upright members whereby said canopy may be swung by said struts about said last-mentioned means, engagement means carried at the upper end portion of each upright member,tcompanion engagement meanscarried by said canopy for removable engagement with the engagement means upon the upright members whereby said canopy may be held in overhanging spaced relationship to the open top of said container.

3. A sandbox for childrens use which comprises, a container for sand having an open top, an upright meme ber positioned on' each side of said container and extending above said container, a canopy member, struts pivotally connected to opposite edge portions of said canopy member, means carried by said upright members pivotally connected to the opposite ends of said struts, said canopy member being of a width less than the distance between opposite upright members whereby said canopymember is swingable about said last-mentioned means between and relative to said upright members with its plane at substantially right-angles to the planes of said upright members, engagement means carried at the upper end portion of each upright member, companion engagement means carried by said canopy member ad jacent an end edge thereof for removable engagement with the engagement means upon the upright members whereby said canopy member may be held in overhanging spaced generally parallel relationship to the open top of said container.

4. A sandbox for childrens use which comprises, a container for sand having an open top, an upright member positioned on each side of said container and extending above said container, a canopy, struts pivotally connected to opposite edge portions of said canopy intermediate its length, means carried by each upright member on each side of said container pivotally connecting the opposite end of said struts to said respective upright members, engagement means carried at the upper end portion of each upright member, companion engagement means carried by said canopy for removable engagement with the engagement means upon the upright members whereby said canopy may be held in overhanging spacedrelationship to the open top of said container said struts being of such length relative to thedistance of the upper open top of the container from the pivoted connection of the struts and the upright members whereby said canopy may be swung to a position immediately over the open top of the container as a closure therefor when the respective engagement means are disengaged.

5. A sandbox for childrensuse which comprises, a container for sand having an open top, an-upright member positioned on each opposite side of said container and extending above said container, a pair of canopy members, struts pivotally connected to an intermediate edge portion of each canopy, means carried upon each upright member pivotally connected to the opposite ends of said struts, engagement means separate from said upright member carried at the upper end portion of each upright member, and companion engagement means carried by each canopy member for removable engagement with the 8 engagement means upon the upright members whereby said canopy members may be held, in overhanging spaced relationship to the open top of said'container.

6. A sandbox for childrens use which comprises, a container for sand having an open top, an upright member positioned on each opposite side of said container and extending above said container, a pair of canopy members, struts pivotally connected to an intermediate edge portion of each canopy, means carriedby the upright member on each side of said container pivotally connected to the opposite ends of said struts and about which said canopy may be swung, engagement means carried atthe upper end portion of each upright member, companion, engagement means carried by each canopy member for removable engagementwith the engagement means upon the, upright members whereby said canopy members may be held in overhanging spaced relationship to theopen top of said container and latch means for retaining said en'gagement means in engagement to prevent inadvertent disengagement thereof.

7. A sandbox for childrens use which comprises, a container for sand having an open top, an upright member positioned on each opposite side of said container and extending above said container, a pair of canopy members, engagement means carried at the'upper portion of each upright member, companion engagement means carried by each canopy member for rem-ovably engaging the engagement means upon the upright-members, struts pivotally connected to an intermediate edge portion of each canopy member, means carried by an intermediate portion of each upright member on each side of said container pivotally connected to the opposite ends ofsaid'struts, whereby said canopy members are supported in overhanging spaced relationship to said container when said respective engagement means are mengagement, said struts being of such lengthrelatively to the distance of the upper edge of the container from the pivotal connection. of the struts and the upright members whereby said canopy members may be swung to a position on the upper edge of the container when said respective engagement means are disengaged.

8. A sandbox for childrens use which comprises, a

edge portion of each canopy, means carried on an intermediate portion of each upright member on each side of the container pivotally connected to the opposite ends of said struts, engagement means carried at the upper end portion of each upright member, companion engagement means carried by each canopy member for removable engagement with the engagement means upon the upright members whereby said canopy members may be held in overhanging spaced relationship to the open top of said container, and separate engagement elements carried by said upright members intermediate the tops ofsaid upright members and the pivotal connection of the struts and said upright members, said engagement elements being removably engageable with the engagement means carried by said canopy members to hold said canopy members in a substantially vertical direction above said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS V 

